News

Growing up in the New York /New Jersey area, as well as the natural products industry, has taught me many things. First, we are tough survivors and will do what it takes to overcome. With that in mind, we were tested again with perhaps one of our biggest challenges last month when Super Storm Sandy hit our area. Many people lost their homes, cars and items of sentimental value. Relief workers are helping them, but it is not enough.

Resveratrol wine isn’t just good for your heart—it helped inhibit prostate cancer androgens in a recent lab study. Prostate cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer, is cause for the second most cancer-related deaths of American men.

Washington, D.C.—The Natural Products Association (NPA) and WholeFoods Magazine are working together to help Hurricane Sandy victims (specifically natural products retailers) get back on their feet with the NPA Retailer Relief.

Hoboken, NJ—A recent study published in Panminerva Medica indicates that Pycnogenol (distributed in the U.S. by Horphag Research, based here) may help control asthma symptoms. Pycnogenol is a natural plant extract that comes from the bark of French Maritime pine trees. The extract’s combination of procyanidins, bioflavanoids and organic acids has been studied for years in promoting healthy inflammation, but now researchers from the University in Pescara, Italy believe it may have other benefits, too.

Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada—A horrible disaster struck a production plant owned by Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc. (maker of Neptune Krill Oil [NKO]) on the afternoon of November 8. An explosion and fire reduced the production facility to rubble, killing three workers. At least 18 others were injured, some with severe burns. An adjacent Neptune facility sustained limited damage.

Las Vegas, NV—Speaking from SupplySide West, here, the day after the election, Michael McGuffin, president of the American Herbal Products Association, predicted how the results could affect the industry in the near term.

Las Vegas, NV—Many industry members are currently enjoying some time in Vegas as they meet for the SupplySide West tradeshow. A new component of the tradeshow debuted on the first day of the show (November 7) with insights and observations from the show floor theater.